Best Time to Visit Hangzhou

Located in the subtropical monsoon region, Hangzhou belongs to subtropical monsoon climate, with four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall. The annual average temperature of Hangzhou is 17.8℃, the average relative humidity of Hangzhou is 70.3%, the annual precipitation of Hangzhou is 1454 mm, and the annual sunshine hours of Hangzhou are 1,765 hours. 
 

To be specific, Hangzhou is always beautiful in different seasons and months. However, it is recommended that you visit Hangzhou in spring and autumn with most pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

Hangzhou's Four Seasons

Spring

Hangzhou’s spring is humid and misty, offering you Misty Jiangnan(south of the Yangtze River). Wandering around the streets in the city provides you a good chance to get close to the nature and the lush greenery of Hangzhou.
 

Summer

In the recent years, Hangzhou becomes one of the hottest cities in summer in China. Hangzhou is hot, dry and crowded in summer, full of domestic tourists at this time. But the lotus flowers in the West Lake is most beautiful in summer. And summer in Hangzhou provides you best photography chances.
 

Autumn

Hangzhou’s Autumn is cool, providing most comfortable temperature for your Hangzhou travel. Generally speaking, Hangzhou is not crowded in autumn, except for the National Day holiday and Mid-autumn Festival.
 

Winter

Hangzhou’s winter is chilly and cold, but providing you best snow landscape in the Broken Bridge in West Lake. If you like snow scenery of the Jiangnan in China, you should not miss Hangzhou and Suzhou.

Travel to Hangzhou in Spring

Spring in Hangzhou (March to May) will be the golden travel time. But changeable weather in this season will let you feel a little uncomfortable. Rainy days are often. Be careful about the sharp temperature in a day. Colorful blossoms along the West Lake will let you have a joyful mood to walk along it. If you travel to West Lake in a misty day, you will see the essential charms of this site. Picking spring Longjing tea in Hangzhou is a tip choice for your spring Hangzhou tour. The green tea garden with fresh air and smells of the tea will let you forget about the trouble in the daily life.



 

Things to do in Spring in Hangzhou

• Stroll around the Tea Plantation
• Taste a cup of Longjing Tea
• Enjoy the Peach Blossoms
• Walk alongside the Su Causeway and Bai Causeway

Things to do in Summer in Hangzhou

• Enjoy the lotus blossoms in West Lake
• Taking a boat on the West Lake
• Burn incenses and worship at the Lingyin Temple

Autumn in Hangzhou (Sep to Nov) with comfortable temperature is suitable for foreign tourists who are annoyed on the rainy days. Autumn is generally sunny and dry, and the foliage season is in November. A West Lake cruise in this season is great. Sightseeing this famous attraction by cruise ship in a cool day, sounds great! Also, consider about the water towns in Hangzhou such as Wuzhen and Xitang.



 

Things to do in Autumn in Hangzhou

• Enjoy the scent of the sweet osmanthus flowers
• Burn incenses and worship at the Lingyin Temple
• Stroll around the West Lake

Things to do in Winter in Hangzhou

• Taste local Yuhang dishes and other snacks
• Enjoy the painting-like snow landscape along the Broken Bridge

Best Time to Visit the West Lake

The West Lake is always beautiful in different seasons, and the best time to visit the West Lake will depend on the scenery you prefer. No matter when you visit Hangzhou and West Lake, there are wonderful views waiting for you.
 

Spring: Strolling on the Su Causeway

Su Causeway starts from the foothills of Nanping Mountain in the south and ends at Qixia Mountain in the north, with a total length of nearly 3 kilometers. Su Causeway is named after famous poet in China, Su Shi, who built the Su Causeway.
 

Spring Dawn at Su Causeway is one of Ten Scenes of West Lake. After the cold winter, Su Causeway is like a graceful herald of spring, with willows on the shore, peaches blossoms and lakes like mirrors, reflecting beautiful images of spring. The most touching thing at Su Causeway is strolling on the Su Causeway in spring with the breeze blowing slowly and the willows shaking.

Summer: Enjoy the Lotus Blossom

Located in the northwest corner of West Lake, Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard is known for its scenery of lotus blossoms in summer. Breeze at Crooked Courtyard is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. According to records, there was a official brewing workshop near the Hongchun Bridge in the Song Dynasty. Every summer, when the wind blew, the lotus fragrance and wine fragrance overflowed, which was intoxicating.
 

Nowadays, the whole park of the Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard is divided into five scenic spots. The pavilions and pagodas in the park are elegantly laid out. The lotus pond covers an area of about 38 mu, and there are rare and precious varieties such as red lotus, white lotus, golden lotus and double lotus(twin lotus flowers on one stalk). Lotus in the Breeze at Crooked Courtyard have become a popular destination to enjoy lotus blossoms in China.
 

Autumn: Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake

Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. Viewing Spot of the Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake is located at the western end of Bai Causeway, with its back against the lonely mountain and facing the outer lake. In autumn, the lake is as calm as a mirror, and the clean autumn moon is reflected on the calm surface of the lake, which is beautiful and peaceful.
 

Winter: Enjoy the Snow View of the Broken Bridge

Melting Snow on the Broken Bridge is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake. Broken Bridge is located at the eastern end of Bai Causeway. After the winter snow, the snow on the one side of the Broken Bridge melts, but there are still snow on the other side. Overlooking the Broken Bridge, it seems to be broken covered by the snow. Standing at the bridge and looking around, you will have a panoramic view of the distant mountains the water. The Broken Bridge is an ideal destination to enjoy the snow scene of the West Lake.
 

The Broken Bridge is also famous for China's famous folklore Legend of the White Snake, which is said to be the bridge of love between White Snake and Xu Xian.
 

Best Time to Visit Lingyin Temple

The best time to visit Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou is during spring(March to May) and autumn(September to November) with comfortable weather and beautiful natural surroundings. 
 

In spring, the temperature is warm and mild, which is suitable for strolling around the Lingyin Temple and enjoying the lush greenery surrounding the temple.
 

In autumn, Lingyin Temple is silent with clear skies, crisp air and wonderful autumn foliage, providing photography opportunities.
 

Nowadays, visiting the temples and worshiping becomes very popular in China, Lingyin Temple will be very crowded during some periods like Labor Day holiday(at the beginning of May), National Day holiday(usually from Oct, 1 to Oct, 7) and school holidays(July to August) of China. If you want to visit the Lingyin Temple with tranquil atmosphere, please avoid these periods.

Best Time to Visit Meijiawu Tea Plantation

The best time to visit Meijiawu Tea Plantation is spring, from March to May(avoid visiting Meijiawu Tea Plantation during the Labor Day holiday of China). Around the Qingming Festival is the time of tea picking. During this time, you can enjoy the lush tea gardens and the joy of tea picking.
 

Early morning and late afternoon are recommended to visit the Meijiawu Tea Plantation with pleasant weather and picturesque scenery. At the Meijiawu Tea Plantation, you may meet local people picking tea leaves, and you can also learn to pick tea leaves here.
 

Meijiawu Tea Plantation is also beautiful on rainy days. After the rain in spring, Meijiawu Tea Plantation is a wonderland covered by the mist, you can enjoy the fresh air in spring and the beautiful views.

Meijiawu Tea Plantation in Hangzhou